School Spies On Students At Home Via Webcams

CNSNews reports that a lawsuit has been brought against Lower Merion School District after families learned that school officials were using the webcams in school-issued laptops to spy on students while they were at home.

Lawsuit Accuses School of Spying on Students at Home by Webcam

Thursday, February 18, 2010
By Maryclaire Dale, Associated Press

Philadelphia (AP) – A federal lawsuit accuses a suburban Philadelphia school district of spying on students at home through school-issued laptop webcams.

The suit says Lower Merion School District officials can activate the webcams remotely without students’ knowledge. The lawsuit alleges the cameras captured images of Harritan High School students and their families as they undressed and in other compromising situations.

Families learned of the alleged webcam images when an assistant principal spoke to a student about inappropriate behavior at home.

Superintendent Christopher W. McGinley did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press.